by Tube passengers are facing a week of travel misery in November after two unions announced a series of strikes on the London Underground.
Aslef, the Tube drivers’ union, ordered 24-hour walkouts on Thursday, November 7 and Tuesday, November 12.
In addition, the RMT called on different groups of staff to take action on different days, from 1 November to 8 November, in protest against a “grossly inadequate” pay offer.
Aslef strikes are almost guaranteed to shut down the entire Tube network. It is not clear what impact the various RMT walkouts will have but it is possible that stations will be closed at short notice to passengers.
But with RMT station staff on strike on November 5 and signalers walking out for three days from November 6, the capital looks set for a week of misery on the Underground.
Transport for London Commissioner Andy Lord revealed the strikes on Wednesday in his regular update to the TfL board.
Mr Lord said he was disappointed that both Aslef and RMT members had voted in favor of strike action in a bid to win an improved pay offer.
He said TfL had put forward a revised pay offer of 4.6 per cent – with train drivers offering a 4.5 per cent increase.
Mr Lord said: “I am disappointed that Aslef and RMT members have voted in favor of industrial action following our recent discussions on pay.
“It is very disappointing that Aslef has announced two days of industrial action in November on London Underground, despite our offer being fair and reasonable.
“We have had some constructive discussions with our unions and, after considering their feedback, we have made a revised offer, with an average increase of 4.6 per cent.
“This rewards our staff for their hard work and benefits the lowest paid staff.
“In addition, train operators will receive a 4.5 percent increase, based on their current salary. This is in line with what Aslef and RMT have recently agreed with other train operating companies on the national rail network.
“We believe our offer is fair for our people, affordable for London and we urge the unions to continue to work with us to support London and avoid any unnecessary and damaging industrial action.”
Aslef and the RMT confirmed the strike dates on Wednesday. Further talks are planned – meaning the strikes could be called off if TfL improves its offer to avoid a fractious period of action.
Finn Brennan, Aslef’s full-time organizer on London Underground, said: “We don’t want to go on strike – we don’t want to make travel in and around the capital more difficult for passengers and we don’t want to lose. a day’s pay – but we’ve been forced into this position because London Underground management won’t sit down properly and negotiate with us.”
The RMT, which represents some Tube drivers and most station staff, said despite “some progress” in negotiations, the current proposal left a large number of staff excluded from collective bargaining – a key issue for the union.
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “London Underground’s pay offer falls short of what our members deserve.
“The end of collective bargaining is a threat to a growing number of staff, forcing them into pay bands set solely by management. This undermines the rights of our members and the basic principles of fair negotiations.
“No union can accept any wage proposal where management decides which of our members get a pay rise and which don’t.
“We have repeatedly urged London Underground to offer a deal that ensures all staff are covered by collective bargaining, but management remains determined to impose pay structures without our agreement.
“Our members have no choice but to strike to defend their terms and conditions.
“We remain open to negotiations, but London Underground must come back to the table with a comprehensive consolidated offer that respects the rights of all our members. Until then, our industrial activity will continue as planned.”
Hospitality UK chief executive Kate Nicholls said the strike threat was “extremely disappointing” and would have a negative impact on the capital’s hospitality and tourism industries.
This is disappointing and will have a significant impact on London’s hospitality and tourism businesses – hitting two key trading days. It affects our customers, our workers and the economy as a whole. We ask all sides to find a sensible and early solution https://t.co/qgdHHXOfWK
— Kate Nicholls OBE (@UKHospKate) October 16, 2024
Helen Whately, Tory shadow transport secretary, said: “Sadly this is what life will look like under a Labor Government.
“Labor has told the unions that they will cave every time they go on strike. So it’s no surprise that we have a new strike on the cards every week.”
Aslef said that Tube drivers, instructors, management grades, and members of the engineering department would be walking out on November 7 and 12.
They said the decision to strike was taken six months after an agreement was reached on the 2024 pay settlement.
Train drivers and instructors will not book for duties between 00.01 and 23.59 on Thursday 7 and Tuesday 12, as managers will.
In addition, there will be a ban on overtime from November 3rd to November 16th.
68 per cent of Aslef members on the Tube took part in the ballot, with 98.8 per cent in favor of going on strike.
Engineering drivers will not book from 6pm on Friday 1 November to 5:59pm on Saturday 2 November, and will not work overtime between 1 and 8 November.
Mr Brennan said: “Our members voted more than 98 per cent in favor of strike action, but Underground management are still refusing to discuss even the main elements of our demands.
“They refuse to discuss any reduction in the working week or the introduction of paid meal relief to bring Underground drivers into line with those on the Elizebeth and London Overground lines.
“The 3.8 per cent pay offer, plus a variable lump sum, means Underground drivers will remain on lower wages than drivers on other TfL services while working longer hours.
“It also means that driving grades will get a lower pay rise than other grades. Underground management insists that any changes to pay ranges will be at the discretion of management – effectively removing the union’s right to negotiate with our members in the future. And management still refuses to commit to making changes to working arrangements and conditions, including pensions, through a single agreement.
“aslef members are extremely patient as the talks have been going on – without any real progress – for months on end.
“Sadly, it is clear, once again, that Underground management will not be serious about reaching a settlement unless there is a prospect of strike action.
“That is why the Aslef executive committee has decided to ask London Underground for action for all train operator members, management members, and APD Transplant members.”
RMT activity will begin on November 1st and will continue until November 8th.
Engineering vehicle operations and maintenance staff will go on strike from 6pm on 1 November to 17:59 on 2 November, with no overtime until 8 November.
Track access controllers, control centre, and power/control staff will go on strike from 18:59 on 3 November to 18:59 on 4 November.
Emergency Response Unit (ERU) staff will go on strike from 00:01 to 23:59 on 4 November.
Fleet, engineering, station and train staff (except ERU and engineering vehicle operations and maintenance) will go on strike from 00:01 to 23:59 on 5 November.
Signals and service controllers will go on strike from 00:01 to 23:59 on 6 November, with further strikes taking place on 7 and 8 November.
